The Zion National Park Camping Guide will help you plan a trip to one of my favorite national parks to visit. Camping in Zion National Park is by far the easiest and best way to explore Zion National Park.
The Watchman and South Campgrounds are centrally located at the south entrance of Zion next to the visitor center and shuttle bus stops for the Zion Canyon and for the town of Springdale. This makes the perfect place to set camp and explore because Zion has seen unprecedented growth in visitation and can make it difficult to find parking.
Zion National Park Camping
Many of Zion National Park's day-use visitors end up parking in the town of Springdale and take the free shuttle up to the park's walk-in entrance. Lines in the summer can be an hour plus wait time just to get into the park.
You will then need to walk to the visitor center and catch the Zion Shuttle into Zion Canyon as vehicles are not allowed into the canyon. This means that you can spend a lot of unnecessary time getting in the park just to get to one of Zion National Park Hikes.
Camping in Zion and/or staying at the Zion Lodge or Zion Cabins means that you already in the park and have a parking spot. Once you are In your campsite or lodge room, all you have to do is simply take the shuttle into the Zion Canyon and the town of Springdale with no more worries.
Watchman and South Campgrounds located next to the visitor center and shuttle bus stops
I personally like to get an early start to go hiking, especially when going on a big hike. Some of Zion's hikes take you straight up the cliffs and some gain over 2000'. You can choose for yourself if you want to get up early or fight the crowds and hike up 2000' when it's 95 degrees!
Early morning hikes often reward you with wildlife sightings and solitude in an otherwise busy park. How do you take an early morning hike? You camp and take one of the first shuttles into the canyon.
I have told you all the pros for camping here but I do want to give everyone a heads up that in April-May could bring an unusual infestation of Tent Caterpillars. They will fall from the trees onto your tent, table, camper, car, and even you and could make it uncomfortable for someone to sit outside.
July and August could also bring ants. Remember that you are not allowed to use any kind of insecticide at your campsite.
Be careful of the irrigation ditches in the campground as they could pose a tripping hazard.
Watchman Campground Map
Watchman Campground Map, Zion National Park. This is the only campground in Zion where you can make a reservation
Watchman Campground
Watchman Campground, Zion National Park has most of the amenities that one would expect in a front country campground. Several of the sites have shade from trees and are mostly sandy with native grasses.
I have had cell service in the campground area but that becomes scarce when you head into the Zion Canyon.
GPS Coordinates: 37.1155''N 112.5911'W
Elevation: 4000'
Season: Open year-round
Reservations: You can make Reservations for the Watchman Campground online and by phone, call 877-444-6777. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance.
The campground typically fills up every day between 9 am-Noon
There is no WIFI in the campground but is available in the visitor center.
There is no firewood for purchase in the park. Firewood is available just outside the park at the Happy Camper Market.
There are 176 campsites, 95 sites with electricity, 2 are ADA Accessible and 6 group sites.
Generators are not allowed in the Watchman Campground.
There is an entrance fee to drive into the park on top of the camping fee.
Tent sites are $20/Night, Electricity sites are $30/Night as of October 2017
The maximum site length is 50' although the average is more like 35', electric sites have 30amp service.
There are very few pull-through sites and I would not count on one.
A trailer dump is available.
The maximum stay is 14 days March-November, 30 Nights for the rest of the year.
Each site has a fire pit and a picnic table
There is drinking water, flush toilets available but no showers. There are showers nearby in the town of Springdale.
Pets are allowed but have to be on a leash no longer than 6' in length.
Quiet Hours are 10 pm - 8 am
Checkout time is 11:00 am
There is a maximum of 6 people, 3 tents and 2 vehicles per campsite.
See our entire post on the Watchman Campground for individual site photos, campground photos, info, and more.
South Campground Map Zion
South Campground Map at Zion National Park
South Campground Zion
South Campground, Zion National Park has many amenities that one would expect in a front country campground. Several of the sites have shade from trees and are mostly sandy with native grasses. I have had cell service in the campground area but that becomes scarce when you head into the Zion Canyon.
GPS Coordinates: 37.2041'N 112.9836'W
Elevation: 4000'
Season: Open March-October
Campground typically fills up every day between 9 am-Noon
There is no WIFI in the campground but is available in the visitor center.
There is no firewood for purchase in the park. Firewood is available just outside the park at the Happy Camper Market.
There are 127 campsites, 3 are ADA Accessible and 4 group sites. Approximately 255 are pull-thru and a 30' maximum length.
There is a trailer dump available.
There is an entrance fee to drive into the park on top of the camping fee. The good news is that if you are camping in the South Campground, you will receive a 50% discount on your tent site if you have the Interagency Park Pass
There are no utility campsites and generators are allowed between the hours of 8a-10a, 6p-8p
Tent sites are $20/Night as of October 2017
The maximum stay is 14 days.
Each site has a fire pit and a picnic table
There is drinking water, flush toilets available but no showers. There are showers nearby in the town of Springdale.
Pets are allowed but have to be on a leash no longer than 6' in length and can only be in certain areas of the park. One of the cool things about staying in the South campground with pets is that you can access the Pa'Rus Trail right next to the campground with your pet.
Quiet Hours are 10p-8a
Checkout time is 11:00 am
There is a maximum of 6 people, 3 tents and 2 vehicles per campsite.
Check out our full article on the South Campground Zion NP for individual site photos, descriptions, and more.
Zion National Park Shuttle Route Map
Shuttle bus stops between the town of Springdale Utah and Zion National Park Entrance
Lava Point Campground Zion
The Lava Point Campground, Zion National Park is a primitive campground off the beaten path and perfect for those who want to find solitude. Road conditions on Kolob Terrace Road can change rapidly.
Turn North in the town of Virgin and travel 25 miles, 45 minutes to get to the campground.
GPS Coordinates: 37.3839'N 113.0329'W
Elevation: 7980'
Open May-September depending on weather
There are 6 primitive campsites, 19' maximum length
There is no camping fee at Lava Point Campground!
There is no drinking water, vault toilets, no showers.
Virgin River in the fall by the South Campground in Zion National Park
For more information on Zion National Park check out my other posts:
Things to do Zion National Park
Things to do Bryce Canyon National Park
Things to do Great Basin National Park
Things to do Capitol Reef National Park
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Zion National Park Address
1 Zion Park Road
Springdale, UT.84767
Zion National Park Phone Number
Phone Number: (435)772-3256
Camping Options
There are a number of RV Parks, state parks, and RV Resorts near the South Entrance of Zion National Park and the park campgrounds within an hour drive from Zion to the entrance of the park. This puts you close to the park and can still get to the park early enough to beat the crowds and find parking!
Check out all of the Utah National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Wyoming, National Parks in New Mexico, National Parks in Nevada, Idaho National Parks, Colorado National Parks, and Arizona National Parks
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